Obvious to you but amazing to others

This little video explains perfectly how I feel....you are amazing and don't even know it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcmI5SSQLmE

Until I wrote my book, I had no idea that others would love my ideas so much.    Sometimes I still don't get it, but I accept it.    And sometimes I hear others say things that make me want to grab a pen and write down their thoughts.   Sometimes I take others thoughts and tweak them.

And just to light a fire in your pants...watch this video...

http://youtu.be/8rwsuXHA7RA 

You are smarter than you think! (there is a paradox in that statement)

Psssst....if you think this article is worth sharing with your facebook friends, then just hit the f button bellow.....thanks!

Why hard work won't make you rich?

"Success and happiness are inversely proportional to anything that is hard and difficult"

The good news is: if life hasn't worked out the way you dreamed it might, it could be because you just aren't having enough fun. Isn't that beautiful? Oh don't worry, I can hear that annoying little voice in your skull whispering to you....this guy is NUTS! That may be true but the paradox is not. By the time you are finished this book I am more than confident you will be a convert to the fun and easy path to abundance and happiness.

"Our minds play tricks on us so now its time to give it back some of its own medicine"

When things are going poorly we feel overwhelmed and this is when the mind starts playing tricks on you. It starts telling you things like: you are not smart enough or you just aren't working hard enough. That's stupid! We both know you are a genius and hard work has nothing to do with success and happiness (ok maybe you don't know that yet but stay tuned).

One of my aha moments came when I realized how much effort I will put into games. After a game of squash I came off the court drenched in sweat, physically drained and on a high. I thought to myself, wow it's amazing how hard I will play. I get incredible fitness out of a game I love. If you put me into an aerobics class or on a stationary bike I would not be able to maintain the effort long enough to get anywhere near the same benefit. Make it a game and I will expend incredible effort. So being the bright and lazy guy that I am, I reasoned that if everything was a game or fun then logically anything would be easier and thus possible.

"Opportunity is missed by many because it is dressed in play clothes and looks like fun"

Work is really good for those who want to make a modest living. If that's all you want, then go to work and forget about this book. For those who want to do something exceptional, you need to start having more fun. Fun at work, fun at home, fun in your relationships and even fun in your spiritual life. Remember the wisdom of the bumper sticker that says...

"If work was that good for you they wouldn't have to pay you to do it"

(this is an exerpt from my book...How To Seduce Life)

Doing well by doing good

"The more you give the more you get, just as long as you don't give to get"

That has been my personal mantra for some time but I recently saw it work for a small company.   My son thought he heard a strange noise from his car's transmission.   I've heard so many strories of untrustworthy shops that I decided to ask around for a recommendation as to where we should take the card to have it checked.

A friend highly recommended a local shop called Excell Transmission.   So we took his car there.   The owner called us back and said his mechanic could find absolutely nothing wrong with it.   He then told me he would take for a highway test drive himself so as to be certain.  

Later he phoned back to confirm that there was nothing to be concerned about.  The transmission was indeed in good repair.  When I went to pay the bill he told me there was no charge.   I was surprised since both the owner and his mechanic took their time to check the vehicle out.

Since then I've retold this little story of great service to numerous people.   This morning a friend told me that he had sent one his friends to that shop to get some work done based on my experience.   I predict a bright future for that business!

So the owners free service resulted in more business...the more you give the more you get as long as you don't give to get!   Beautiful...

Yes you can profit from mistakes

I know what you are thinking....easier said than done, right?



How to tell if people are being truthful

Imagine if you could read when someone is lying to you? Imagine if you knew how to present materials so that it would be more believable to your clients? Well this is your lucky day because I'm going to give you one more tool for your success toolkit.

First, lets discuss how to read if someone actually feels strong about what they are saying.

The hand they gesture with gives away their true beliefs. A right hand person will gesture with their right hand when they feel strong about something. They will then gesture with their left hand when they don't believe strongly in what they are saying. For a left hander it is just the opposite.

President Obama is left handed so next chance you get to see him giving a talk watch which hand he gestures with. If he believes in what he is saying he will want to gesture with his left hand. If he is not in belief with what he is saying he will gesture with his right hand. It is an inborn reaction that we favor our dominant hand.

The world is dominated by righties so our cliches are based on the right hand thinkers. That is were the expression....'my right hand man' orginates. Or conversely why we say...'he dances like he has two left feet'. Right is right and left is wrong (unless of course you are left handed).

Now lets discuss how to present materials in a way that makes them want to buy.

Right handed people prefer things on the right hand of the page. When they view two similar choices their tendency is pick the one on the right hand side. So if there are two similar job applicants or two similar products on a page they will tend to pick the one on the right. The opposite is true for left handed folks. Simple right?

Let's imagine that you have two products displayed on a table or counter. Which side would you put the product you want the client to purchase? Oh, you're so smart! Of course this assumes that you've actually been observant enough to notice whether the person is right or left handed?

You don't have to take my word or the word of the researchers who test this stuff try it out yourself. You may never be baffled by a politicians BS again. Well, let's not carried away those dudes have been practicing deception for decades. But even the most deceitful occasionally give away tell tale signs if you are alert to the signs.

Oh, and if you sell more products because you now know how to display them to advantage....you owe me a beer!

Laughing all the way to the bank

A friend sent me this picture just for laughs, but it got me thinking.  When I first saw this picture, I thought to myself...I would stop for a refreshment at a place with a sign like that.   Humor sells!   Of course marketers have know that for a long time.   That's the reason for all the funny commercials.  Humor lowers our resistance and opens us up.    It's hard to say no when you are laughing and having a good time.  

I do think though that the serious folks (they prefer to be called professionals) don't fully appreciate what humor can do.   For instance look at this sign and tell me....isn't it more effective than some typical boring government sign?  And yet no government professional would consider such an amaterish sign.  And yet, I'll be willing to wager you that NO one hit that bridge again after that sign went up?

And would you stop at a gardening store with a sign like this?

How about this liquor store?

Do you think this might be a fun place to work?

A friend was telling me about how his young drivers in his business sometimes had a bad attitude and it sure as heck wasn't good for business.   He said to me, ok Mr Guru, tell how to use humor to solve the problem.    So I made up these posters....

Message received and problem solved!

So I'm thinking of become a 'Business Humor Consultant'.    I've already given myself the title of Guru so this isn't much of stretch.    I wonder if I put my new title of a business card if anyone will believe it?     There shouldn't be much competetion since I've never heard of a 'Business Humor Consultant' before.   No wait....how about Business Humor Guru?   That sounds like I can charge more.   What do your think?

Psssst....if you ever come across a picture of a funny business sign I would be sooo happy if you would send it to me.  I might even meet you at the bar in the first picture and buy you a refreshment!

The 'new' 4 way test

This was inspired by the 'Rotary Club 4 way test' which is pretty good but I like mine a lot more. Any new venture I contemplate will have to pass this test before I will seriously consider it. This strikes me as a wondeful way to ensure success? What do you think?

I also got thinking about failed projects and quickly realized that if I had applied this test, I would have never started them in the first place. I challenge you to look back at some failed project in your past and put it to my test? Would it have passed?

I'm going to print it off and put it on the wall by my desk as a reminder.

The sum total of what I know...

The more you give

"You can always tell a true friend. When you've made a fool of yourself she doesn't think you've done a pernament job"

If you were to ask me, what is the one principle to live by that will make your life fun, easy and abundant? I would say surround yourself with givers. Having friends who are givers is the cherry on top of life's meaning.

5 Benefits of having givers as friends (there are many more of course)

1. There is no such thing as it's my turn. No need to keep track of who did what because givers love giving.

2. Givers give off positive energy. Their positive energy lifts you up and makes you feel good about yourself.

3. Givers make you want to be a better person.

4. Givers are happy people and that happiness can be contagious.

5. Someone always has your back. Just knowing that when you stumble someone will put out a hand is very reasurring. If you are being criticised in your absence someone will defend you.

6. Having givers as friends means a life of pleasant surprises. You never know what will be given to you for no reason other than that you are loved. (OK I know that makes six but what the hey, I just felt like giving a little more)

Takers

Avoid these people like you would an unnecessary root canel. The first sign you are with a taker is that their conversation revolves around me me and me. No matter where the conversation goes they find a way to make it about themselves. They will use you and abuse you. They are self centered and immature . They believe that in order for them to succeed they need to take from others. These people are toxic to your happiness.

Fools

The fools are takers but don't know it. They may see themselves as givers but they suck the energy out of you. They may make you a supper but then they dump every morsel of their problems on your plate. These are people who as I said appear to be givers but are so negative that they are draining to be around.

Fakers

The fakers are the ones that calculate that if they give they will get something back. They only give because they think it will gain them something now or down the road. They will fool you but mostly they fool themselves.

What if I haven't been a giver but I want to change?

The answer is simple...give until it feels good!

It's better to...

Be bold than safe..

Stand out than fit it

Be outrageous than conform

Fail than never try

Be reckless than cautious

Do nothing and accomplish much

"to be calm while others are losing

their heads is an incredible advantage"

I've been reading a couple of books about Zen Buddism and am fascinated with the benefits and teachings of it. I'm not about to become a disciple or try to convert you to anything. I do though find some value in it for me. I think we are all in need of a little extra serenity and calm in our lives. This seems like a valid path.

Research is increasingly showing that we have too much stimulation in our lives. Stress levels are getting out of control especially with the current world economic situation. And when things aren't going our way we pile on worry, another negative emotion.



So whether we listen to calming music, take a walk in the park or meditate, we need some way of calming ourselves and decreasing the stimulation. This is especially true if you live in an urban setting. It's near impossible to think clearly when our brains are over-loaded with stimulation.



Just as we need sleep to rest our bodies and mind, we also need calm during our day to refresh and recharge the mind. Think of it as an adult recess break. The key here is to slow down the stimulation.

"he who is of a calm and happy nature,

will hardly feel the pressure of age

but to him who is of an opposite disposition

youth and age are an equal burden" Plato

Smile, who knew...doing nothing was the answer?

Guru Eduardo

BONUS; I was standing in the park wondering why Frisbee's got bigger as they got closer. Then it hit me! (unknown)

FREE Energy

Another great secret is about to be revealed right here and right now! I'm going to share with you, an absolutely free source of energy that you can tap into right now. Please don't tell the government or they may want to tax it!

ta dum....drum roll please....

"If you are looking for an immediate energy boost look for the happiest person in the room"

It's amazing the energy you can pick up from a happy person. It's like they have so much that they don't care if you take a little of their energy for yourself. In fact if they see that you are picking up some positive energy from them  they just want to increase their energy output and give you more.

One caveat, don't bring negative energy around that person or he will flee. You'll be left all by your lonesome with the other energy suckers. You know that 'like attracts like' thing. Hanging out with the negative energy crowd will make everyone feel lower than a snake's belly in a wheels rut pardner! (a little western humor).

Bonus tip.....I'm giving out positive energy everyday at this site so stop by often and top off your tank (no charge) I'll leave you with some wisdom from some dude named Will Rogers...

"the best way to make fire
from two sticks is to make sure
that one of them is a match"

Do you matter?

You matter when....

When you love the work you do and the people you do it with.

When you are so gracious, generous and aware that you think of other people before yourself.

You are the problem solver not the problem creator.

When you leave the world a better place than you found it.

When you continue to raise the bar on what you do and how you do it.

When you teach and forgive before you rush to judge and demean.

When you touch the people in your life through your actions (and your words).

When kids grow up wanting to be you (or inspired by you).

When someone knows you love them unconditionally.

When you see the world as it is but insist on making it more like it coul be.

When you inspire a Nobel prize winner or a slum dweller.

When the room brightens when you walk in.

When you give someone you total undivided attention.

And when the legacy you leave behind lasts for hours, days or a lifetime.

When you cause someone to have a good belly laugh.

CONFESSION TIME; I swiped this from Seth Godin's excellent blog and then snuck in a few of my own!

Your turn.....what would you add to the list?

Philosophy for 2012

In the 1600's Rene Descartes, the famous philosopher famously said..."I think therefore I am". But that was 500 years ago. Today we turn to the not yet famous philosopher Guru Eduardo for his wisdom on the subject. You decide which you prefer?

The 3 things you need to be happy

Today I want to tell you about a guy named Epicurus. He was a Greek philospher who walked on the planet a couple thousand years ago. Epicurus was a very smart guy who also had a great fondness for food and wine (my kind of guy). His name lives on today in the word 'epicure', meaning someone who loves fine dining.

Epicurus greatest gift to us was his discovery of what it takes to make us happy. He determined that we need only 3 things and they are;

1. friends

By friends Epicurus was referring to; family (include spouse), friends and our community

2. freedom

Freedom refers to our leasure time or free time to do as we please.

3. an analyzed life

An analyzed life means taking the time to understand what makes us happy. And more especially what makes us happy in enduring ways.

"If work is so terrific why do they have to pay us to do it"

Epicurus reasoned that some things that bring us the thrill of happiness last a short time but cost us large amounts of pain and effort. He considered these a poor investment. Today we might interpret this to include material possessions and ego satisfactions. These ego satisfactions include; seeking wealth, power and social status.

"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles" Doug Larson

A better investment in happiness are those things that bring us enduring happiness. These long lasting pleasures could be best described as heart pleasures. Heart pleasures are things like; love, friendship and service to others or a cause.

"They say money doesn't bring happiness...I'm not denying that. I just want the opportunity to find out for myself" unknown

A couple of thousand years later and I'm thinking Epicurus had this happiness thing nailed pretty good. Learning to savor the heart pleasures and don't be fooled by the quick thrill of ego satisfaction. Smart guy!

And there is one more thing!

Epicurus believed that while we should savour our pleasures, we should do it in moderation. Pigging out on food or drinking to excess will only lead to detrimental after affects (I'm thinking obesity and a hangover) just were not worth the investment.

I'm thinking Epicurs would be one guy to invite to my party!

Smile, the purpose of life is to do some good, have fun and learn something.

Friends with benefits

"a true friend is someone who thinks you are a 'good egg' even though he knows you are slightly cracked"     (Bernard Metzer)

Research has shown that those of us with good friends, will live longer and be happier and healthier. I don't need to quote any study because there have been so darn many to support this theory.

"good friends are hard to come by and even harder get rid of" Eric Yoda Wallman

Friends liven up your life with twisted jokes and embarassing stories. They are the source of my best belly laughs. They must be the world's best stress reliever.

Now just in case you looked at the above photo and got the idea that my friends are all females, sadly that is not so! It's just that they are so much better looking than their husbands and boyfriends and I wanted my site to look really good! And just in case you got the wrong idea from the article title...that's funny but not so!

"many people will walk in and out of your life
but only a true friend will  show up with cold beer on a hot day"


I wish you as many wacky friends as I have. As a matter of fact if you want I could lend you one!

Sometimes its best to break the rules

"If you've never broken a rule, then you have never really lived"

Here's to those who love to break the rules!   For they are the one's who cause the great changes.  They are the creatives, the explorers and inventors.   They are not content to follow the herd but prefer to make their own path and sometimes end up in places no one has ever been before.   They don't have to think outside the box because they never lived in any damn box to start with.

Conformity is THE box!   Conformity is defined by obeying all the rules.   The shackles of conformity are formed  by being part of the herd and dutifully being obedient to whoever made the rules to start with.   Just remember this; whoever made the rules made them because they stood to benefit by your compliance.

So I say....let's have some fun and find some rules to break!   

Pssst...one last piece of advice!

 

Irrisitable urges

"He who controls his urges

is a man of character.

She who controls her urges

is a woman of discipline.

But those who give into their urges

have the most fun,

make the grandest discoveries,

lead by example

and sometimes go to jail for it"